Count Me In : A Dance and Education Podcast

This week Carly & Hannah sit down with friends, colleagues, and founders of the Seattle Dance Collective. Both dancers with Pacific Northwest Ballet, the pair decided they wanted to create more on their own. The four discuss the importance of access to the arts, how Ballet is changing, and the ups and downs of directing a company.

Website: https://www.seattledancecollective.org

Instagram: @seattle_dance_collective

This week Carly & Hannah sit down with fellow Baltimore native, Miranda Quinn. As a Juilliard Graduate and current member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, the three discuss how you can’t judge a book by its cover, and how even linear dance paths are full of challenges. They also learn more about growing up with a studio owner for a mom, and how the pandemic changed her dancing.

Miranda Quinn: @mirandaming4

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Carly: @CarlyFayedance

Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
 

This week is a must listen for all educators! Hannah and Carly talk with consent educator and expert Sarah Casper, creator of Comprehensive Consent. The three talk about how consent manifests in this studio, how teachers can teach important skills, and consent in online environments.

Sarah:  @comprehensiveconsent https://comprehensiveconsent.com/find-out-more/

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Carly: @CarlyFayedance

Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
 

This week, Hannah and Carly talk with Paige Fraser, a professional modern dancer and former dancer with Ailey II and Visceral Dance Chicago. Paige, an advocate for dancers with scoliosis, shares the importance of taking care of your body in a holistic way. Hannah and Page bond over both being diagnosed with scoliosis as young dancers, and dive deep into their own experiences. The three women also talk about the importance of being open to new opportunities throughout a dance career.

Paige: @lovingthispaige @thepaigefraserfoundation paigefraser.net

thepaigefraserfoundation.org

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Carly: @CarlyFayedance
Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings

This week, Carly and Hannah have the privilege of talking with Courtney Celeste Spears, a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. The three women talk about following your own path, being open to new opportunities, and choosing happiness above all else. They also discuss the absolute importance of the arts during the COVID pandemic, and their hopes for the arts in the aftermath.

Courtney: @bahamaballerina

courtneycelestespears.com

Links: 

https://www.theaileyschool.edu/programs/professional-division/aileyfordham-bfa-program

https://www.artseadance.org/the-team

https://www.hbs.edu/crossover/Pages/default.aspx

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Carly: @CarlyFayedance

Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
 

Carly & Hannah continue with the trend of chatting with Carly’s friends and colleagues this week with fellow dance educator & choreographer, Caitlin McAfee. The episode starts off the rails, as these 3 women are extremely passionate. They reign it in to learn more about Caitlin’s upbringing, her tumultuous relationship with Ballet, and how it has affected her teaching. They discuss the differences of teaching in studios vs. public schools, and the importance of real, genuine self care. As a Company Owner/Director, Caitlin shares her philosophies on paying dancers fairly, and finding art in your hometown.

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Caitlin: @cait.mcafee @blueshiftdance

blueshift.dance/

Carly: @CarlyFayedance

Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
 

 

This week, we sit down with Carly’s dear old friend, Christine Sampson. As a former NBA, & NBA All Star Dancer they dive deep into that career path. They discuss the multiple requirements of always being in the spotlight, and representing a brand. Carly and Hannah admire Christine’s endlessly positive attitude, and learn more about her teaching style. She shares tips for students looking to break into the dance team world, as well as business advice..she also owns her own production company!

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Christine: @ctine16 @rockroulettepro

Carly: @CarlyFayedance
Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
 

This week, Hannah and Carly have the pleasure of chatting with Hallie Hunt, contemporary dancer, choreographer, and educator. They discuss her serious ballet training as a teenager as well as her transition to the contemporary dance world. Hallie now runs her own contemporary dance company, Adaptations Dance Theater, and teaches on Maui, Hawaii; the three dive deep into her life as a professional there.

(Photo by Sarah Quarles)

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Hallie: @halliewallieballie @adaptationsdancetheater Adaptationsdancetheater.com

Carly: @CarlyFayedance

Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
 

Hannah and Carly get to dive deep into the competition dance world this week with dance teacher and judge, Miranda Zimmerman-Spada. They discuss the importance of having conversations with varied opinions and view points. They also discuss the benefits of competitive dance, and how it has shaped them as dancers and humans.

Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]!
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Miranda: @mirandarosespada
@tonawandadance

Carly: @CarlyFayedance


Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings
 

Casey Herd has worked with just about every ballet company you can think of! A former principal dancer of Pacific Northwest Ballet and Dutch National Ballet, Hannah and Carly ask him a lot of questions on the nitty gritty of the ballet world. Casey discusses his experience training in ballet as a young boy, and his new organization, Ballet Rising, which is joining a movement ‘to make ballet a truly global art form that welcomes all to take part.

Don’t forget to write a review in Apple podcasts, and send email to [email protected]!
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Casey: @caseyhphoto
Ballet Rising: @balletrising
Balletrising.com

Carly: @CarlyFayedance
Hannah: @hannahmae92
Producer Corey: @CoreyJennings